December 6, 2020

Ministers: All Members of the Church E. Chris Curvin, Pastor

Paul Means, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care & Mission

Northwood Presbyterian Church 2875 State Road 580, Clearwater, FL 33761

(727) 796-8090 Fax (727) 797-8276 www.northwoodpc.org

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Welcome To

Northwood Presbyterian Church

A Stephen Ministry Church Organized February 19, 1978

HYMN NOTES:

“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (96) When John Chandler (1806-1878) translated this hymn from Latin

he thought that it was a medieval work, but it was by the distinguished

French scholar of the 18th century, Charles Coffin (1676-1749). Coffin

wrote more than 100 hymns in Latin. Its theme is John the Baptist’s an-

nouncement of Christ’s advent and his call to the people of Israel to repent

and prepare for His coming.

The text has undergone many revisions, and today it is hard to find

two hymnals in which the text is the same. Almost all hymnals include the

same five verses (most modern hymnals leave out the original second

stanza), but the wording changes quite significantly between texts.

The overall theme of the verses, however, is evident regardless of

the version used. Stanzas one and two are a message to us, instructing us to

prepare the way of the Lord today. In stanza three, we confess our need for

salvation, in stanza four we pray for healing and love, and stanza five (not

in our Glory to God hymnal) acts as a doxology. We will use the alternate

tune today PUER NOBIS NASCITUR which is used for five other texts in our

hymnal (ex. #152)

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS TO… Sunday, December 6: Harry Seckman, Robert Fuoco,

Zachary Cox, Shane Alexander

Monday, December 7: Laura Turner, David Hamilton

Tuesday, December 8: Roger Snay, Wanda Fanning, Susan Glaser,

Barbara Jordan, Beverly Van Zyl

Thursday, December 10: Blake Estavil

Friday, December 11: Eleanor Cicerchi, Murle Whitten, David O’Leary

Mark O’Leary

If you see someone whose birthday is listed and you haven’t seen them in church recently, give them a call!

The flowers in the sanctuary today are given to the glory of God by

Friends of Northwood

Flower orders & donation costs for flowers ordered for worship are made

using the “2020 Flower Reservation Chart” on the bulletin board across from

the kitchen. During this time when we are not meeting for in person worship,

please send your information directly to communications@northwoodpc.org

Please remember to mark “flowers” and the date on your $30 donation.

Thank you to those providing flowers each week In Honor/In Memory of

someone or an anniversary/birthday!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Wednesday Bible Study, led by Cindy Huffman

A study of the Book of Matthew meets every Wednesday at 7:00pm through

Zoom. The study guide being used is The Immersion Bible Study: Matthew

by J. Ellsworth Kalas. If you’d like to join the Wednesday Bible Study or

need a study book, please email Cindy Huffman at lucindy1@aol.com and

she will forward you the Zoom link. All are welcome!

Experiencing God Class, led by Vicki Krueger

If you’d like to join the Experiencing God class virtually via Zoom at

10:30am on Sunday mornings, please contact Vicki Krueger via email at

vickilee33@aol.com and she will send you the meeting details each week.

Fresh Brewed Fresh Brewed will meet on the first Friday of every month at 10:30am via

Zoom. The book we are studying is “Deeply Rooted; Knowing Self, Grow-

ing in God” by Christopher Marcie. Please contact Louise Mylin for a Zoom

code and if you have any questions (727) 787-9868

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Follow the link to view our weekly email:

https://mailchi.mp/bb5a0a9ae1ee/citylightupdate-1212020

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you

who will prepare your way;

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight..’” ____________________________________________________

Mark 1:2-3

Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. ANTHEM “Every Valley” John Ness Beck

(Chancel Choir, recorded on November 25, 2018) CALL TO OFFERING

HYMN #96 PUER NOBIS NASCITUR “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh; awake and hearken, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings! Then cleansed be every life from sin; make straight the way for God within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there. We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward; without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay. Stretch forth your hand; our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more. O let your face upon us shine and fill the world with love divine.

WE GROW IN THE WORD

SCRIPTURE READINGS Isaiah 40:1-5 NRSV Mark 1:1-8 NRSV

SERMON Advent Series: The World Is Not Yet Finished #2 “Turning Towards Peace” Chris Curvin, Pastor

WE UNITE IN PRAYER AND SACRAMENT

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE SHARING OF THE CUP; THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP

(Please plan to celebrate communion during this livestream service by preparing a small portion of juice—or something to drink—and bread for your use at home.)

THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

WE GO OUT TO SERVE

HYMN #87 “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” GENEVAN 42 “Comfort, comfort, now my people; tell of peace!” So says our God. “Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load. To my people now proclaim that my pardon waits for them! Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.” For the herald’s voice is crying in the desert far and near, calling us to true repentance, since the reign of God is here. O, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way. Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting. Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain. Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God’s holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken. BENEDICTION

CLOSING VOLUNTARY Jonathan Reuss “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” Stephanie Carson, Music Director

Tom Huffman, Organist & Associate Music Director

Order for the Public Worship of God

December 6, 2020

2nd Sunday of Advent

11:00 AM Worship Service

WE COME TO WORSHIP

OPENING VOLUNTARY arr. Mark Hayes “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Piano and Organ Duet

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Chris Curvin, Pastor

CALL TO WORSHIP Sally Ann Morris “The People Who Walked in Darkness” Stephanie Carson, Solo The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light. The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow rise to a star shining bright. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Father forever, Prince of Peace. For God has enlarged the nation, and prospered the fruit of its land. God’s people are blest with the harvest of victory, gift from a bountiful hand. text by Mary Louise Bringle, 2008

© GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission PRAYER OF THE DAY HYMN #88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VENI EMMANUEL (stanzas 1,6,7) O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. THE ADVENT CANDLE OF PEACE Lighting the Candle, Steve & Debbie Lang

The reader offers words about the candle of peace.

RESPONSE Reader: ….and so we offer this mysterious prayer: All: Lord Jesus, into our darkness, quickly come. All singing: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. CALL TO CONFESSION Paul Means, Associate Pastor

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Together) O God, you search us and know us, and all that we are is open to you. We confess that we have sinned. We long for your coming to change the world, and yet are unwilling to change even our own hearts; when we do not listen to the prophets and angels; when we reduce our preparation of your coming to reckless spending and trivialities. For- give us for all of our failings, in Jesus’ name. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE PICARDY King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood, He will give to all the faithful, his own self for heavenly food. APOSTLES’ CREED (Together)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the

COUNTDOWN

WELCOME

THE ADVENT CANDLE OF PEACE

Bill & Patty Martin

VIDEO

“Peace”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chris Curvin, Pastor

PRAISE CAROL

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”

SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS IN PRAYER

APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in

Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy

Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was cruci-

fied, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge

the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection

of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“Peace”

SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 40:1-5 Mark 1:1-8

MESSAGE

Advent Series: The World Is Not Yet Finished

#2 “Turning Towards Peace” Chris Curvin, Pastor

HOLY COMMUNION

(Please plan to celebrate communion during this livestream service by preparing a

small portion of juice—or something to drink—and bread for your use at home.)

SONG OF DEDICATION

“Christmas Day”

GOD’S BLESSING TO YOU

ignite is a contemporary worship service at 9:00 that delivers the

message of Jesus Christ through Powerful Music, Media

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